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Munroe‑Meyer expert outlines SSI, waivers, guardianship and employment steps for Papillion‑La Vista families
Summary
At a Papillion‑La Vista Community Schools empowerment session, Rachel Wray of the Munroe‑Meyer Institute walked families through SSI and Medicaid timing, waiver types, guardianship alternatives, and employment supports including Nebraska VR and adult day services.
Rachel Wray, faculty at the Munroe‑Meyer Institute, told a lunchtime empowerment session hosted by Papillion‑La Vista Community Schools that families should begin planning early for the transition from school‑based services to adult supports for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The session, offered by the district’s Empowerment Collective, also included an announcement about a birth‑to‑21 special resource fair at Embassy Suites in La Vista.
Wray said there are four overlapping areas families should prioritize: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid/waiver eligibility; health‑care transition from pediatric to adult providers; supported decision‑making and guardianship options; and community supports including employment. “I typically say apply for SSI,” she said, advising families to file as soon as an individual turns 18 when adult income and resources will be considered.
Why it matters: an SSI determination often triggers eligibility for many Nebraska Medicaid waiver programs for adults. Wray explained that most adult developmental disability (DD) waiver services require an SSI disability determination before a Nebraskan can access DD waivers, while some child waivers (Family Support, A&D) may be exceptions. She recommended that families file early or keep disability documentation on record so eligibility evidence is available when needed.
Wray described the main Nebraska waiver options: the Aging & Disabilities (A&D) waiver (often used for physical disabilities and some children), the Comprehensive Developmental Disabilities (CDD) waiver (which adds residential supports and is often described as the “gold standard”), the Adult Day (day service) waiver, a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) waiver (limited provider spots), and the newer Family Support waiver that covers supports up to age 21 in many cases. She said Nebraska’s adult day waiver is notable for covering up to about 35 hours per week of day/community services to help adults maintain employment and community skills.
On guardianship and decision‑making, Wray urged families to consider alternatives to full guardianship because guardianship can be restrictive and involves court procedures and paperwork. She described options including health‑care power of attorney, representative payee (for SSI funds), durable power of attorney and supported decision‑making, and said families should consult attorneys or financial planners when weighing long‑term legal choices.
Health care transition was another focus: Wray urged families to plan for the end of pediatric care early, recommending contacting adult providers before a young person ages out of pediatric services so there is continuity of care for complex medical needs.
Employment and VR supports: Wray highlighted Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and school‑based pre‑employment transition services that start around age 14. She noted Papillion schools have VR counselors to help with resumes, interviews and work experience. She cautioned that Pre‑ETS does not provide on‑the‑job job coaching; families whose children need job coaching should seek adult VR or supportive employment providers.
Practical details and timing: Wray laid out an age‑by‑age guide—include students in IEP meetings by 14; consider college or continued training at 16; apply for SSI at 18; expect Nebraska’s age of majority (19) to affect Medicaid income calculations and to apply for Medicaid/waivers accordingly; educational services commonly end by 21; and she warned that if families do not utilize waiver services after a 22nd birthday they risk being considered closed and re‑entering waitlists.
Wray pointed families to online resources (Nebraska DHHS waiver comparison tools and the state’s IServe application) and offered to share her PowerPoint with links. She provided her email for follow‑up questions and suggested families contact Nebraska 211 or Region 6 for additional supports.
The session was presented to parents, guardians and staff; Christopher, the district’s director of communications, opened the session and introduced Wray.
